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"\x74\x68\x65\x70\x72\x65\x7a\x39\x38"; -
Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
Hah! I could not afford that title. I only gave out like 40 or 50. Look at anyone that hosts a party, and nearly all of the Toxic BBQ Organizers for people that have donated far more booze than me.
Guinness are my thank-yous to people (like the grill masters at the TBBQ, and other people contributing to con), and sometimes token of apology. Last year, I think I ran out on Friday night.
Guinness as a currency to show appreciation of attendees is an idea I hope other people consider when they go to Defcon; encourage and patronize what you want to see more of, while at con. :-)
As for the question about the value of a nick or handle:
Yes. It does make a difference. Your name conveys information to people. When it is a nick or handle, it is often chosen by you, so it sends a message about you, from you.
Real names tend to be provided by parents, before your identity is known.
People make associations between names and observed traits. Applied stereotypes are an example of this, and we know how common they are.
Nicknames here tend to fall into a few categories:
1) Provision of false representation, attempts at deception: These appear as names where people attempt to present an alternate identity based on fantasy, suggesting they are more skilled than they really are, or "cooler" than they really are.
2) Suggestion of interest, or hobby: These appear as names where a citation of interest is included in the name. Perhaps a name of a hero from a game, story, comic book, tv show, movie, opera, play, etc. Maybe an object of interest such as a weapon, or something similar. It can also be from an area of technical interest.
3) Derivations from their real name, often provided with normal interactions of friends, sometimes based on historical events, shared by friends. This includes jokes.
*) Some other category not described above. (This list of groups is far from complete.)
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A third party security audit is the IT equivalent of a colonoscopy. It's long, intrusive, very uncomfortable, and when it's done, you'll have seen things you really didn't want to see, and you'll never forget that you've had one.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I prefer handing out flask-sized bottles of various alcohols for random parties, larger specific types for those I attend yearly: Grey Goose for a cocktail party; Jaegermeister, Barenjager and Rumpleminze for a German-themed party, etc. Completely different convention from Defcon, though.
My nicks usually form when I'm forced to use something fitting a theme in a website I've decided to take a gander at. I try not to use anything that might have a meaning floating around somewhere, though I've started to notice that a lot of folks in other forums have been associating Sereyna with Serenity. They get a little surprised when I jump down someone's throat for something...She understands, but she doesn't comprehend...
The day I stop learning is the day they put me in a box.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I'm not a huge beer drinker/hell raiser :-) but I recently tried Sam Adams Seasonal White Ale and it was very very good. I have to stock up before it goes away.
xorJust because you can doesn't mean you should. This applies to making babies, hacking, and youtube videos.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
Wow, If I could only list the first and last names of my Defcon friends, what a great world this would be. Oh, wait, I can't. My mom always asks if i know the names of the people i'm hanging out with. Often the answer is, "no."======================================
DJ Jackalope
dopest dj in the galaxy. *mwah!*
send in the drop bears!
======================================Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
Unlike nicknames which people acquire in non-online or computer related life, these are usually chosen by the individual. This gives you the opportunity to chose something which may not have some sort of connection to an embarrassing moment or trait, and the opportunity to have a pseudonym which will eventually be associated with one's reputation within the community.
Therefore it's rather important that people consider this when choosing their name. An innocuous name gives you somewhat of a clean slate to begin with as opposed to one which comes off as overreaching or patently absurd.jur1st, esq.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
Herein lies the fun issue I have with handles, most everyone knows my real name, yet it gets trimmed down to WK which I am ok with, the oldschool crowd knows me as erehwon, and I've usually posted with my real name and handle as one and the same.
Identity theft being as prevalent as it is today, one only has to find enough marks that match their original identities that after awhile you could really disappear and have most everyone guessing what your real name was to start with.
Two things to think about, handles mean nothing when you have Echelon, TIA, or whatever other black world spy apparatus paired up with a MQ-1A and a bunch of Hellfire missles under the wing.
Second and no joke, nothing is worse than writing for 2600 or Phrack under your handle for years and then trying to convince employers that you were that nym/nick/handle until you can find company trusted, third party verification as has happened to one cohort.Nonnumquam cupido magnas partes Interretis vincendi me corripit
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I heard it best from a friend in Irvine Underground. He said there are tens of thousands of people with his given name, but his is the only online handle. It is a chance to make yourself unique.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I agree, making yourself unique is good, but at the same time you have to be intelligent. Exactly the reason I use a name that isn't incredibly long, hard to read, or idiotic. Best to think up a decent name off the bat instead of changing it until you find one you like too...Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I know a few folks who have changed their nick, but usually due to a life experience of sorts. I'm fine with that. It's a transformation. We should have such a moment IRL.Comment
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A third party security audit is the IT equivalent of a colonoscopy. It's long, intrusive, very uncomfortable, and when it's done, you'll have seen things you really didn't want to see, and you'll never forget that you've had one.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
I used to think that (about my handle), but the world turns out to have a pretty small namespace. There's about a bazillion shrdlus out there, any more. Of course, most of them don't have my sweet and winsome personality. I've been using it longer than anyone (as far as I know), but even that doesn't mean much.
Leet speak handles take away from credibility. I love some of the more unusual ones, though. I must have stared at erehwon for 5 minutes, first time I saw it, before it hit me what it was. Dogten cracks me up (for some reason, that one was obvious to me).
Cotman, you need to add a fourth reason to your list.
4. Some folk have a genuine need for anonymity, either to seperate themselves from the workplace, or to be taken at face value by a group that might otherwise have expectations because of your name.Comment
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Re: Do nicks or handles matter?
These are the posts I like to see. I am really surprised that the thread kept going. I thought you guys would just look at it then bash me. But I really respect what each and everyone has said about the topic.
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